Treating cavities has long been an important part of professional dentistry, and until relatively recently, most patients relied on durable metal fillings to restore their teeth. Today, however, tooth-colored fillings are a better, increasingly more popular option for treating cavities in a discreet and safe manner. While their main attraction is their appearance, tooth-colored fillings offer a number of functional benefits that make them preferable over traditional metal fillings. (more…)
How Gum Disease Becomes a Problem
Though you may not realize it, periodontal (gum) disease probably affects most of the people you know. In fact, nearly 80% of adults in the United States are afflicted with the chronic condition, and it’s the number one cause of adult tooth loss. However, as a progressive illness, periodontal disease goes through several stages before it can claim one or more of your teeth. Therefore, treating it depends on the stage at which you detect it. Today, we explore the process by which gum disease becomes a problem, and how you can increase your chances of successfully treating it early. (more…)
Do You Have TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder isn’t limited to a specific few symptoms, and its resulting discomfort may not always seem related to your dental health. Chronic headaches, recurring earaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and neck and shoulder pain can indicate TMJ disorder, but they are also symptoms of a lot of other conditions. Today, we explain how you can gauge the likelihood of TMJ disorder by examining its symptoms and judging your jaw’s balance. (more…)
Can Your Dentist Help You Stop Snoring?
Did you know that you can find relief from your chronic snoring problem at your dentist’s office? You probably wouldn’t naturally think of your dentist when seeking better sleep, but the mechanisms behind snoring and the sleep disorder, sleep apnea often originate with your oral tissues. Today, we explain how methods for treating OSA often involve interrupting the processes that lead to snoring, and how you can find relief and the sleep you need at our dental office. (more…)
Why Dental Crowns Work So Well
Because your teeth cannot repair themselves when damaged or threatened by disease, modern dentistry focuses much attention on creating effective, discrete man-made solutions to reinforce weakened teeth. As a custom-designed, fabricated replica of your tooth, a dental crown can offer a wide range of benefits in a number of different circumstances. Today, we explore some of these benefits, and why today’s dental crowns are vital to many successful dental restorations. (more…)
How Porcelain Veneers Improve Smiles
Patients who are unhappy with their smiles because stains, chips, odd spacing, or slight crookedness mar their teeth’s appearance tend to hide their smiles more often than they show them. Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells of dental porcelain that are bonded to the fronts of a patient’s teeth to cover such potentially embarrassing blemishes. If your smile’s imperfections seem overwhelming, then porcelain veneers may provide the conservative treatment you need to successfully improve your smile’s appearance. (more…)
Exploring Jaw Pain and TMJ Disorder
There are plenty of issues that can affect your smile’s health, beauty, and function. Most people are aware of the few that can directly attack their teeth and gums, such as tooth decay and gum disease. However, your dental health involves more than just teeth and gums, and in some cases, the components that move your mouth can be the ones to suffer. Today, explore these components, and how TMJ disorder can cause intense jaw pain and difficulty with your mouth’s operation. (more…)
Why Are My Teeth Loose?
When healthy, your teeth have a very slight amount of flexibility within their sockets. This flexibility helps ensure that your teeth can withstand the immense pressures of biting and chewing without damaging their roots or jawbone. However, when your teeth are noticeably loose, then their foundation may be in trouble, and you may be at risk of tooth loss. Noticeably loose teeth can shift and move about, damaging the tissues that hold the roots in place. To find out why your teeth are loose and how you can save them, make an appointment with your dentist so you can receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible. (more…)
Should You Upgrade Your Filling to a Tooth-Colored One?
As our knowledge of dental health has progressed over the years, so have the techniques and materials used to treat common dental issues. For instance, cavities were once most commonly treated using durable metal amalgam fillings, which could effectively withstand the immense pressures of biting and chewing. Today, however, most people prefer tooth-colored fillings for their many esthetic and functional advantages. If you have a metal filling, then ask your dentist if you should upgrade it to a tooth-colored filling, and how doing so can improve your smile’s appearance as well as your long-term oral health. (more…)
Can Gum Contouring Restore Your Confidence?
The main purpose of your gums is to protect and support the roots of your teeth as they extend out of your jawbone. However, their appearance also has a significant impact on the appearance of your overall smile. When gum tissues are uneven or cover too much of one or more teeth, the result is often called a gummy smile, and can make the rest of your smile seem crooked and off-balance. Fortunately, in many cases, gum contouring can restore your confidence by restoring the esthetic appeal and symmetry of your gums and smile. (more…)